Friday, August 29, 2008

So here are my accomplishments from last week.... I'm calling them (left) Neg-Patriot and (right) Orange Pecan. I really enjoy the process and am trying to learn how to control the color. I need to get better at color intensity. Also going to try to sell some on Etsy. In other knitting news... I finished the hat/kimono for the new nephew. I have not heard if he has made it into the world yet. It was supposed to happen yesterday.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

A few weeks back I decided to try my hand at dying my own sock yarn. Here are the results:

The first thing I did was to soak the skeins in water/vinegar solution for about 4hrs. Then I got out all of the supplies that I had been collecting for such an occasion and began mixing up dyes. The first set of dyes I use were RIT. I mixed the dry dye into a jar of water/vinegar solution ( I did not use any type of measurement, just "a little here-a little there) then I put the solution into a squit bottle. I started out with the skein on the right. I first used a yellow, then red, then black. As you can see the yellow disappeared!! I think I squirted too much dye and too close together. I then wrapped it up in clear plastic wrap and stuck it in the microwave for a minute or two. I think it could have use one more ZAP but I was anxious to see results. Not bad but also not exactly what I was looking for. So, on to the second skein. The one on the left I used Wilson Cake dyes. Mixed it with the same water/vinegar solution and applied it the same way. The cakes dyes are more like a jelly and even though I thought they were mixed well, The colors came out spotty and multi-colored. For instance, the blue came out purple and blue, the green were a few different shades of green and what was supposed to be "burgandy' came out pink. Again, not bad, but not what I was looking for. By the way, the black and yellow on the left skein are the RIT dyes and I also nuked this skein a few times. I then rinsed in luke warm water and left them to dry. I like the way they look in the skeins!!!! So much so that I don't want to wind them into balls or knit them up into socks!!!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Of the list from the last post only the short socks for me got finished. I have finished some Monkey socks for myself in a very cool, crazy colors by Koigu. I am currently working on some socks for the DH. Unfortunately the golf cap that I started for him was not really difficult but definately needed my undivided attention and well.....I just don't have it to begin with! :)

I'm also working on some Bellatrix socks in this color. I'm having knitter's ADD because I'm also working on a shawl and then a baby kimono/hat for my new nephew who has not arrived yet...

Let's see.....what else........ oh yeah! Daughter turned 18 and is off to college this weekend! Very glad for her that this part of her life has started and I think she will do well. I know she's mine but she is wonderful!

Also on the needles.. cuz, like I need a few more projects! A lace scarf .